Zandon Tops 2022 Cigar Mile Handicap Betting
A Field of Seven at Aqueduct
There are some quality thoroughbreds entered in the Grade 1 2022 Cigar Mile Handicap on Saturday, including standout age-group performer Zandon.
He’s taking on some older horses, including O Besos and Mind Control, so it makes for an intriguing contest at Aqueduct.
The Aqueduct racetrack has some quality racing on the card, so we look at the best undercard race as well.
Cigar Mile Race Information
Date: Saturday, December 3rd, 2022
Racetrack: Aqueduct
Zandon Looking to Extend 3YO Form
Two of the last three winners of the Cigar Mile Handicap have been 3-year-old thoroughbreds, which should give bettors confidence with Zandon.
The son of Upstart has exceptional age-group form, and if that stacks up well against the older horses, he should win.
He won the Bluegrass Stakes before placing behind Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby, Epicenter in the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes, and Taiba in the Pennsylvania Stakes.
2022 Cigar Mile Handicap betting suggests Zandon will be tough to hold out and owner Jeff Drown holds him in high regard.
“He’s been tough every race. He has given it his all each time while coming out on the short end a few times, but he’s always right there. I think he’ll break through here,” Drown said
“We gave him some time after the Pennsylvania Derby to freshen him a little and get him ready for the upcoming campaign after a very good 3-year-old season. To knock heads with the top horses in your class every time you go out, and you come running like he did, you have every reason to hold your head up high.”
Horse racing odds should have Zandon at the top of the book, so he’s worth backing in the 2022 Cigar Mile Handicap.
Mind Control with Experience Edge
Mind Control is the biggest danger to Zandon following a win in the Parx Dirt Mile.
He has already beaten the likes of Hot Rod Charlie this year when winning the Salvator Mile, so he’s easily good enough to score a minor upset in the 2022 Cigar Mile Handicap.
The 6-year-old also has wins in the John A. Nerud and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, so he has been at the top level for some time.
We think the son of Stay Thirsty can contest the lead and wear down Zandon. Bettors should get each-way odds and he’s worth including.
Tuskegee Airmen Eyes Unbeaten Streak
The Remsen Stakes is the feature undercard race at Aqueduct and all eyes are on Tuskegee Airmen.
The 2-year-old son of Street Sense won on debut at Parx before winning the Rocky Run at Del Mar, which should be a good form guide for the $250,000 race.
Trainer John Servis believes he has raw talent but still has a lot to learn.
“Mentally, the light hasn’t gone on yet, but he has flashed some talent,”
“We are excited about him. His last race at the three-eighths pole, I didn’t think he was going to beat a horse. He dropped back under a drive, and it looked like he was finished, and all of a sudden, he went back to running again. We’re letting him bring himself along at his pace. He’s doing it all on raw talent, and the sky’s the limit.” said Servis.
It’s not an easy field, but we would parlay Tuskegee Airmen into Zandon. It looks like a healthy horse racing parlay.
| Entry | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double Crown | 12-1 | J. Acosta 119 Lbs | Norman Cash |
| 2 | Zandon | 3-2 | Joel Rosario 120 Lbs | Chad Brown |
| 3 | White Abarrio | 5-1 | Irad Ortiz, Jr. 118 Lbs | Saffie Joseph, Jr. |
| 4 | Get Her Number | 6-1 | Luis Saez 120 Lbs | Peter Miller |
| 5 | O Besos | 5-1 | Jose Ortiz 119 Lbs | Gregory Foley |
| 6 | Outlier | 20-1 | Luis Batista 115 Lbs | Norman Cash |
| 7 | Mind Control | 3-1 | John Velazquez 122 Lbs | Todd Pletcher |
*Last updated: 12/1/22 11:00am ET
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